Read the latest: Reche Fire: Flames Claim Home, Evacuations Remain In Place
MORENO VALLEY, CA — A fast-moving wildfire burning Friday afternoon in an unincorporated area of Riverside County near Reche Canyon consumed 385 acres in just under four hours amid searing weather conditions.
Shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, the brusher — dubbed the Reche Fire — continued to burn at a “moderate to rapid rate of spread” in flashy fuels near the boundary separating Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.
By 5:30 a.m. Saturday, 437 acres had burned, and containment was at 5 percent.
Click Here: Re-KanKen Bag
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
An evacuation order encompassing the area south of Reche Canyon Road, west of Locust/Trust, north of Alta Vista, and east of Reche Vista Drive/Perris Boulevard was reduced to a warning as of 8:10 p.m. Friday. An evacuation warning was also in place north of Ironwood, east of Perris Boulevard, south of Alta Vista, and west of Moreno Beach.
See evacuation orders or warning updates here.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A Care & Reception Center was being established at Valley View High School, 13135 Nason Street, in Moreno Valley.
The blaze was first reported at 12:58 p.m. near the 9400 block of Reche Canyon Road. By 3 p.m., nearly 300 firefighters were assigned to the brusher that is being fought by ground and air.
In addition to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, crews from Cal Fire/San Bernardino, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, Morongo Fire Department, Murrieta Fire and Rescue, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, and Soboba Fire Department were on scene.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The area where the blaze started is lightly populated, with both single-family dwellings and mobile homes. However, the brusher was pointed in the direction of a larger community bordering the Badlands.
Outbuildings in the path of the fire were reportedly damaged as the flames pushed to the east.
At the height of the blaze, at least six Cal Fire air tankers and six water-dropping helicopters made runs on the blaze, successfully slowing its advance and enabling crews to start tightening up gaps.
As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, all air tankers had been released and diverted to other wildfires, while only a couple of helicopters remained on the fire lines.
The blaze is one of three large brush fires burning in the area. Read more:
The Highland Fire Burning In Beaumont
The Rabbit Fire Burning Near Moreno Valley
Refresh for the latest on this breaking news story as we learn more.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.